The city that never stopped debating.
Discover carefully curated public lectures, author talks, debates and intellectual events in Paris, France — selected by The Mindful City editorial team.
Last updated: August 17, 2026
Yuval Noah Harari · Centre Pompidou · August 18, 2026
Yuval Noah Harari discusses the cultural and ethical implications of AI and biotechnology for storytelling and labour in the twenty-first century. He will examine how narratives sh…
Christiane Amanpour · Institut du Monde Arabe · August 18, 2026
Veteran international journalist Christiane Amanpour discusses the challenges of reporting on conflict, diplomacy, and human rights across the Arab world. A moderated conversation …
Mary Beard · Centre Pompidou · August 18, 2026
Classicist Mary Beard examines the continuing relevance of ancient texts to contemporary cultural debates in art and public life. The lecture will be followed by a moderated discus…
Didier Eribon · Centre Pompidou · August 18, 2026
Sociologist Didier Eribon discusses his influential work on class, sexuality, and political identity in modern France. The presentation will be paired with a debate featuring young…
Riad Sattouf · Centre Pompidou (Galerie Talks) · August 18, 2026
Cartoonist and filmmaker Riad Sattouf discusses his graphic work on adolescence, migration, and urban life in France. The talk includes a drawing demonstration and audience Q&A.
Arundhati Roy · Maison de la Poésie · August 18, 2026
Author and activist Arundhati Roy gives a reading and discusses literature as a form of political resistance and solidarity. The program includes a post-event conversation with a j…
Bernard-Henri Lévy · Palais de Tokyo · August 18, 2026
Philosopher and public intellectual Bernard-Henri Lévy addresses ethical questions raised by contemporary art and global crises. A panel of curators and critics will respond to his…
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie · Shakespeare and Company Bookshop · August 20, 2026
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie presents readings from her recent work and discusses storytelling, feminism, and cross-cultural narratives. The event ends with a Q&A and book signing.
Riad Sattouf · Palais de Tokyo · August 20, 2026
Cartoonist and filmmaker Riad Sattouf speaks about visual storytelling and his portrayals of urban life in recent projects. The talk will include an illustrated presentation and a …
Hito Steyerl · Centre Pompidou · August 20, 2026
Artist and writer Hito Steyerl examines the relationship between digital imagery, algorithmic distribution, and civic life in contemporary art. The talk will include recent project…
Bernard-Henri Lévy · Institut du Monde Arabe · August 20, 2026
Philosopher and public intellectual Bernard-Henri Lévy offers a critical reflection on the Arab Spring a decade after its onset, assessing political and cultural consequences. The …
Zadie Smith · Shakespeare and Company Bookshop · August 20, 2026
Acclaimed novelist Zadie Smith reads selections from her forthcoming book and discusses craft and the role of fiction in public life. The event includes a short audience Q&A and an…
Zadie Smith · Shakespeare and Company Bookshop · August 20, 2026
Zadie Smith reads from her forthcoming novel and discusses craft, identity, and the politics of storytelling. The evening concludes with a short audience Q&A and a book signing at …
Zadie Smith · Shakespeare and Company Bookshop · August 20, 2026
Zadie Smith reads selections from her forthcoming collection of essays and discusses contemporary fiction in a wide-ranging conversation. The event closes with an audience Q&A and …
Zadie Smith · Shakespeare and Company Bookshop · August 20, 2026
Zadie Smith reads from her forthcoming novel and discusses themes of belonging, identity, and contemporary urban life. The reading is followed by a short Q&A and book signing sessi…
Yuval Noah Harari · Shakespeare and Company Bookshop · August 22, 2026
Yuval Noah Harari reads from his latest work and discusses how new technologies reshape collective narratives about humanity's future. The evening includes audience questions and a…
Édouard Louis · Bibliothèque nationale de France · August 22, 2026
Édouard Louis discusses his recent essays on class, politics, and social transformation with a literary critic from Paris. The talk will include readings and an open discussion wit…
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie · Shakespeare and Company Bookshop · August 22, 2026
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie reads from her latest novel and discusses themes of identity, migration, and narrative voice. The event includes a moderated conversation and audience ques…
Amartya Sen · Bibliothèque nationale de France (Grande Galerie des Conférences) · August 24, 2026
Nobel laureate Amartya Sen presents his latest thinking on capabilities, public reasoning and social justice. The lecture is open to the public and will include a short discussion …
Frédéric Lordon · École Normale Supérieure · August 24, 2026
Economist and political theorist Frédéric Lordon presents a critical analysis of contemporary capitalism and proposals for collective economic strategies. The event is framed as a …